Charles and Margo Wood - Charlie\'s Charts North to Alaska

170

LISIANSKI STRAIT TO KHAZ BAY

The west coast of Chichagof Island 1s full of interest and speetacular
seenery. From Star Roek belI buoy set a eourse to elear Poreupin~ Roek (a
prominent, bare, offshore rock 3 miles south). In go od weather Ilas Bay to the
east can be entered and a route threaded carefully into Porcupine Bay, where
one can anchor in 8 fathoms, mud. From this anchorage a vis1t ean be made to
the hot springs at White Sulp.hur Springs, first by boat to the west arm of
Bertha Bay about a mile south, then aver a half mile traii to the two buiIdings
at the springs. Bertha Bay is full of rocks. Use US chart 17321 when entering.

From Porcupine Rock a course can be taken for 6 miles to enter Imperiai
Passage between Hill and Hogan Islands. Though there are many rocks and
islands off the points on each side, the passage is wide and leads into the
expanse of Portlock Harbor. South Passage is an equally good entrance.

Within Portlock Harbor the effeet of the swell and wind are not felt, and

an inner route can be threaded through Surveyor and Ogden Passages. Didr1ckson

Bay, on the east side of Portlock Harbor, has anehorage toward the head of the

bay in sight of the waterfall in about lO f~thoms, soft mud. The bay shoals

for some distance before the waterfall.

A more protected anchorage can be taken in Kimshan Cove at the junction of

Surveyor and Ogden Passages'(just before reaching the #3 green day beacon near

Fitz Island). Enter in the middle of the opening to the cove, taking care to

avoid the crab traps that are scattered about. Anchor on the east side. On

the southern shore there are the pilings and ruins of a wharf as well as

buildings belonging to a gold-mining venture on Dooth Mountain.

Leaving Kimshan Cove be careful to pass at Ieast 300 feet away from the

green day bea con near Fitz Island, to avoid the reef which extends south of the

marker. Ogden Passage leads behind a screen of islands towards Smooth Channel,

which is the best outlet to the sea through Khaz Bay.

Entry to the anchorages in Klag Bay is marked by a day beacon and an unlit

range leading roughly northwesterly into The Gate. Use US Charts 17321 and

17322 when navigating in this area. From The Gate the route passes through the

scattered rocks of Elbow Passage, then past the east side of Klag Island to the

head of Klag Bay. Anchorage can be found anywhere in the bay, or off the

abandoned mining town of Chichagof near the head. The mine is kept active and

work sometimes proceeds. Enter Klag Bay just at or past low water slack when

the many rocks can be clearly seen, and the currents are reduced.

Guide Rocks, which are bare and noticeable, and a lighted buoy mark the

exit from Smooth Channel leading to~ards Khaz Breakers and the open sea. A

lighted whistie buoy marks Khaz Breakers, but in almost any swell breakers can

be seen over the rocks. There are many rocks and breake~s but as long as the

buoys and Khaz Breakers are identified the route passes through deep, clear

water. This is no pIace to attempt to enter or Ieave in bad weather or fog.

There are other anchorages along Sloeum Arm in ~aterfal1 Cave or in Ford

Arm at Elf Cove, which are worth visiting if time permits. Do not take the

short-cut sometimes used by loeal baats through Piehle Passage elose westerly

of Khaz Point for it is very complicated and has many rocks.